Drive-Through Done Right

Sometimes eating on the fly is a fact of life. Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that fast food accounts for more than 15 percent of daily calories for people in their twenties and thirties. If your busy schedule calls for the occasional grab-and-go meal, FITNESS is here to help. Our cheat sheet identifies two safe bets for lunch or dinner at 10 of the most popular chains. With these menu picks, which each have 480 calories or fewer and are low in artery-clogging saturated fat, you can eat burgers, tacos, and fries guilt-free.

Drive-Through Dos

Don't fall for health halos. Some veggie dishes pack nearly 1,000 calories, while a burger may have as few as 250. Read the nutrition facts before you order.

Go high tech. Speaking of nutrition facts, they're in the palm of your hand with the Fast Food Calorie Counter app ($1, for iPhone or Android), which lists more than 9,000 menu items.

Look beyond the main menu. Pint-size portions on the kids' menu can save you calories, and the Dunkin' Donuts all-day breakfast menu has many nutritious picks. Panera has a secret menu with healthy egg-white bowls and a steak lettuce wrap; say you're ordering from the "hidden menu" to get the scoop.

Go skinny-dipping. Not all condiments are created equal. A ketchup packet has only 10 calories, but those cute little packages of honey mustard and barbecue sauce contain 60 calories and 50 calories, respectively.